Chapter 119: Scheming Against the She-Cat Demon

"Li Ji, an eighth-rank martial artist!"

The martial artists waiting below the ring could no longer contain themselves. One eighth-rank fighter jumped up impatiently and cupped his fists.

"Hmm!"

The Zhao family's martial artist, Jin Shou, merely grunted. His expression remained unchanged, his posture as steady as Mount Tai.

"Go on, get up there!"
"Stop waiting, hurry up! I have to get home to nurse my child!"
"Stop dawdling! How long is this going to take? Hurry up!"

The commoners beneath the ring were shouting and cheering, eager for the action to begin.

*Whoosh!*

The challenger didn't waste any time. His blood energy erupted as he launched the first attack against the Zhao family's fighter. He threw a punch that made the air tremble, his footwork steady and firm as a pine tree.

Jin Shou also threw a punch, meeting the challenger's fist head-on. He intended to settle this with raw power.

*Crack!*

A dull thud was followed by the crisp sound of breaking bones. Li Ji’s arm was shattered. Pain contorted his face as he stumbled back, falling heavily off the ring while clutching his broken limb and howling in agony.

"Jin Shou, victory!" the referee announced.

"Is there anyone else willing to challenge Master Li Ji?" the Zhao family steward asked as he took the stage to oversee the proceedings.

The crowd went silent. No one had expected such an outcome.

"If anyone has the guts, come up and challenge me," Jin Shou declared.

"If I strike, I do not hold back; it is a matter of life and death!"

The crowd murmured. Many eighth-rank martial artists were itching to teach this fellow a lesson, but they were all over thirty and could only watch with frustration as Jin Shou stood triumphantly on the ring.

"Is there no one else?"

Master Su, the head of the Su family, sat on the high platform, his face growing increasingly grim. Beside him, Zhao Hongyan bit her lip, her expression equally tense.

"Father, don't worry. The Zhao family has defeated numerous eighth-rank fighters, and they have never lost to someone of the same level. Although this Lan Er is an eighth-rank, he is nothing special. He will certainly be no match for the Zhao family's champion."

Lan Er, who had been watching from the eaves of a nearby building, felt a flicker of interest. He leaped down, landing in the middle of the ring, and gestured toward Jin Shou. "You know my strength, don't you?"

"Su family... Lan Er!"

The crowd erupted. Everyone knew of the Su family—the house that was larger than the county magistrate's office.

"The Su family? The one that gave out porridge during the famine? They are our benefactors!"

"That's right, the Chen family is the truly detestable one."

"Lan Er is truly bold. A first-rank martial artist daring to challenge an eighth-rank one?"

"Even if he loses, he’s earned his fame for having the courage to face an eighth-rank fighter!"

The atmosphere was electric. Lan Er looked at the crowd with a calm smile. He didn't care about the prestige; he only wanted to settle a score.

"Master Zhao, do I meet the conditions for your martial arts tournament?" Lan Er asked.

Master Su glared at him, his hands trembling. If not for his last shred of reason, he would have charged onto the stage to end the boy right there.

"You already have a primary wife," Master Su spat. "How can you participate?"

"Your rules didn't state that one couldn't have a wife, nor that those with existing spouses were barred from entry," Lan Er replied coolly. "So, which rule do I fail to meet?"

"You...!" Master Su was fuming.

"If I am qualified, why can't I participate? Unless you, the Zhao family, are going back on your word? Or perhaps you don't care about your reputation anymore?"

Zhao Hongyan stood up, holding her blue-eyed cat demon. "Our rules are absolute. Continue."

The cat demon hissed, its eyes flashing with intelligence. It leaped from her arms, growing to the size of a white wolf. It was agile, its blue pupils locked onto Lan Er.

"Meow!" the creature shrieked, its voice sounding like that of a young girl.

The cat demon lunged. Lan Er, unimpressed, unleashed his *Savage Ox Long Fist*. The force of his blows was terrifying. The cat demon, unable to get close, was forced to retreat toward the corner of the ring.

Lan Er moved in a blur, grabbing the cat by its throat. He squeezed, and as the creature gasped for air, he unleashed a flurry of punches.

*Thud!*

The cat demon collapsed, unconscious. Lan Er poured his blood energy into the beast, sensing its potential.

*Bone Talent: Grade B.*

Lan Er was surprised. This was a rare talent for a beast. He pulled out a First-Rank Mind-Control Insect.

"Simple," Lan Er whispered to the unconscious creature. "If you agree to be my pet and swallow this, I will give up on marrying your mistress."

The battle ended, and the crowd was left in stunned silence. Lan Er had won. He looked at Master Su and Zhao Hongyan.

"I won this match. According to the rules, your daughter should be my concubine. If you can't bear it, I have a condition: let me take the cat as my pet, and I will forgo the marriage. What do you say?"

Master Su and Zhao Hongyan were trembling with rage, but they were trapped by their own words. To lose was one thing, but to lose their daughter to a concubinage—or to be forced to concede to this man—was a humiliation they could barely stomach.

"Fine," Master Su finally choked out, his face pale. "Take the beast and leave."

Lan Er smiled. He had achieved his goal. Without another word, he turned and walked off the stage, leaving the Zhao family to face the whispers of the crowd, their pride shattered and their reputation in tatters.